A BEAUTIFUL HEBREW IDIOM

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it.” Matthew 11:12

This verse is very difficult to understand until one realizes Jesus is speaking a Hebrew idiom taken from Micah 2:13 - "One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.”

The English translation in Matthew “subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it” is taken from Micah, and in Hebrew it is a phrase that pictures the shepherd taking the stones of the pen away in the morning (“breaking open the way” Micah, “subjected to violence” Matthew) to let the sheep out to pasture (“they will break through the gate and go out” Micah, “and violent people have been riding it.” Matthew).

The phrase Jesus uses “the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been riding it” is an idiom that doesn’t mean christians should revert to violence, but it is the act of the shepherd tearing down the stones in the morning, and the sheep running through the opening to pasture.

What a beautiful picture of Christ upon the cross tearing down the walls that bind and divide and though His violent act of nailing sin to the cross has brought us victory.

Jesus is declaring himself to be the Messiah who is our spiritual shepherd who has opened our prison doors and has set us free. Jesus is declaring His Kingdom is a Kingdom of freedom and victory, not condemnation and shame. Within His Kingdom individuals are finding liberty and freedom.

Enjoy your FREEDOM today!